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The Scoop

at City Hall

Administratrator Don Uram had recommended bidding both options and then choosing the one that makes most sense after the bids come in. As discussion continued that evening, however, he recommended delaying the bond sale and looking at the required paperwork, stating, “I’m interested in saving money,” he said.

It was asked if the city could trust the IRS and the U.S. Treasury to ensure the benefits of the BABS program. Stated Administrator Uram, “There are expectations this program will continue. I recommend moving forward with Build America Bonds.”

Councilmember Jim Paulsen stated the the city cannot know the cost of the new program because “we’re dealing with the government.”

Replied Mayor Thun, “I guess I’m going to trust the government here. My gut feeling is to go with BABS. We’d be spending $10,000 to save $100,000.” In any case, she stated, “We do have to pay for the streets.”

Councilmember Tim Amundsen pointed out there will be more bond issues to consider along with more road issues.

VICTORIA EYES 2010 STREET PROJECTS

THE CLOCK HAS ALREADY STARTED TICKING

Council voted 4-0 to approve the 2010 street improvement projects in Victoria with a sidebar to take a second look at the Aster Trail and Kochia Lane areas. Other areas in the 2010 plan include 80th Street off Bavaria Road, Rolling Bluff off Rolling Acres Road, Zinnia Street in the Lake Auburn neighborhood, and Rose and Sunflower Street by the Holiday Station.

Stated City Engineer Cara Geheren, “The clock has already started ticking. We haven’t finished construction of the 2009 projects but this is reality. We need to think about when the city likes to bid these projects, which is April. We’re looking for authorization to prepare the feasibility reports.”

Cara summarized each of the streets under consideration.

*Residents on 80th Street paved their street themselves a while ago. It doesn’t meet city standards. They don’t have municipal water.

*Reconstructing Rose and Sunflower Streets would complete the streets in the old part of town.

*Zinnia is a gravel road and has an old sanitary sewer inherited from Laketown Township. The area doesn’t have municipal water.

*Rolling Bluff has gravel roads and doesn’t have municipal water.

*There are not a lot of properties to assess with 78th Street and Kochia Lane. These are state aid roads but the city went through most of its available state aid dollars with Smithtown Road.

Cara said the cost of a feasibility report to consider all of the above projects would approximate $39,000.

Asked Councilmember Kim Roden, “What portion of the feasibility report would be related to water?” She mentioned that Bayview chose not to get water and the city didn’t make them put it in.

But Councilmember Tim Amundsen pointed out that residents in the Lions Park neighborhood also had wells and “we still said we’re putting in water!”

The city engineer replied, “It’s difficult for me to not recommend you do water as well as the streets.” She said the city wouldn’t want to rip up new streets to put in municipal water a few years down the road, and the cost to include water in the feasibility report is not significant.

Mayor Mary Thun, “I can’t recall any neighborhood agreeing to water. I think we need some more information before we move forward on this. There are few residents at Aster Trail. What is the situation with their wells?”

EVOLVING INTO A BETTER UNDERSTANDING

BETWEEN VICTORIA AND METROPOLITAN COUNCIL

Council voted 3-2 on Monday, August 3rd, to approve an agreement between the City of Victoria and the Metropolitan Council regarding regional sewer improvements constructed and being constructed in the north part of the city.

Those voting in favor: Mayor Mary Thun, Councilmember Jim Paulsen, Councilmember Tom O’Connor. Those voting against: Councilmember Kim Roden and Councilmember Tim Amundsen.

Councilmember Roden thanked city and Met Council officials for their work but stated, “I can’t vote for Phase Two until we’ve adequately closed out Phase One. I toured both homes that encountered problems. I was astounded at what I saw. When homeowner concerns haven’t been adequately addressed by the Metropolitan Council, I can’t support this agreement ...

“I’m disappointed that I can’t support it, but your past performance was woefully inadequate. I’m very pleased you’ve made progress, but not enough. How you treated Corwins and Nelsons does not show common sense. You don’t deserve to work here. I can tell you right now, if you put an easement in front of me, I’d never sign it. Each of these homeowners has their own Katrina to deal with.”

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